This past week has been very interesting to say the least. God has been active in absolutely everything and I continue to see how He is reshaping me every single moment in order to draw me closer to Him. I have been able to have some really great conversations with Pete (one of my former/current mentors) here and am able to wrestle with some deep personal things together. But simple dialogue really doesn't come close to how God is forming me into something new. I am a very impatient person and have a hard time waiting on God's will. The act of trusting the almighty continues to be my struggle in that I think I know how the world should be redeemed. But I don't. And I need to return to my absolute dependence on the Lord.
This past Sunday I met a man named Martin who had, what I believed to be, some serious insight from the Holy Spirit. It's amazing how seemingly out of nowhere God brought this man into my life to speak directly to my core. In the first few seconds of our conversation he said how he had heard about me and why I was here. He went on to point out several things I was going through/dealing with. (Battle in the mind, learning how to listen to God, etc.) After our initial meeting, he and a few others climbed a nearby mountain with me to pray at the top. The whole way up he was preaching to me. "One step at a time" "Never give up" "Jesus loves you Travis" "Gloria a Dios" "Satan is real but even he is in God's plan" "Don't worry about your mistakes - just continue - God's forgiveness is always here" "Jesus lives" When we got to the top we prayed and enjoyed the view. When we got back Martin then left as soon as we got back. I'm not sure if I will ever see this man again. But I do know it was God's will for me to hear his words. What else does God have in store for my/your next step? Gloria a Dios!
I had to babysit Zach and Noah one morning. (Two of the five Gatto children).
A dead tarantella.
My new friend Frank setting up a tent with me.
Abram riding on the ranch.
Martin climbing the mountain with me.
What a view!
Below: Frank, Cher, and Meg talking in the bunk house.
Baptism this past Sunday at the pool behind the house.
Hi Travis,
ReplyDeleteWe enjoyed the pictures of Mexico at your mom's house today. Knowing how great God is he is with you and with us in our prayers.
Love,
Grandma and Grandpa Boerema
Travis,
ReplyDeleteIt's great to read your blogs and see how God is on the move with you...Gosh, He is SO faithful! My heart is encouraged. I know He's still got loads more for you in the coming weeks. You're in my prayers.
~KtH
Hey Brother,
ReplyDeleteIn the process of getting caught up on your posts...things have gotten a little crazy lately and I fell behind...forgive me.
A couple things stood out in reading this post.
1.) You are awesome. The leap of faith you have taken in the last couple of months is very inspiring. Your decision to lay aside your current life and head off to Mexico is in and of itself an awesome testimony of your desire to get answers directly from the Source. Whether or not you get the answers you're looking for is beside the point...I can already feel in your writing the effect of your quiet time in the Presence of the Almighty. An "All Consuming Fire" is being lit inside of you and in me through your writing.
"...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to the completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6.
Thank you for the wisom and truth that you have shared thus far in your journey.
2.) Martin...What a blessing. I hope and pray that God brings you two together again, and if not, I thank God for the "Mountain top" experience that He gave you with him. It sounds like an insanely powerful day with a brother in Christ.
3.) That tarantula is huge.
4.) I love you man. I love what God is doing in you. I love the way that God is speaking through you. Your willingness and desire to seek God's Face is contagious.
Keep up the awesome work bro.